When Brittany Raway (AB ’10) reflects on all she’s accomplished, both as a student at the University of Georgia and now as a successful professional, she sees those achievements as the result of others’ generosity. Not just in the form of scholarships, but in the generosity of spirit shown by mentors, friends, and supporters who offered guidance, opened doors, and believed in her potential.
“I was lucky enough to have people around me, starting with my parents, who allowed me to put my education first by giving me advice and connection,” she says.
“Because of that, UGA is where I became who I am — where I went from a small-town girl to someone with perspective and experience.”
Hailing from Perry, Georgia, Brittany arrived in Athens eager but unsure and quickly found her place by joining student organizations that made the campus feel more like home. From the Arch Society and Blue Key to Kappa Delta sorority, UGA Hoop Girls, and the Morehead Honors College, Brittany worked hard to carve out her place on campus. “I started finding these great little pockets of people,” she recalls. “And I realized I loved connecting people and building community.”
Though she had dreamed of becoming a lawyer since kindergarten, her time at UGA helped refine that vision. “I thought I wanted to do litigation, but Georgia helped me see how much I love collaboration. Everywhere you look at UGA, there’s some sort of collaboration happening, so now I focus on transactional law, where I get to work with people and build things together.”
After graduating, Brittany pursued a master’s in international conflict at the University of Denver, followed by law school at Duke University. She’s now a partner at Alston & Bird in Atlanta, specializing in mergers and acquisitions and corporate governance. Along the way, she married her husband, whom she met on a UGA study abroad trip to South Africa with the Global L.E.A.D. program, and together they’re raising three young children.
Despite the whirlwind of education, career, and cross-country moves, Brittany never lost her passion for UGA. “It’s where I became who I am,” she says. “It gave me opportunities I never imagined: new perspectives, new experiences, even new foods I’d never tried before!”
That deep connection led her to Georgia Women Give.
“I love that Georgia Women Give is about making meaningful connections and supporting programs that might otherwise be overlooked,” Brittany explains.
Her involvement began when a friend from UGA reached out about re-engaging with the university as an alum.
“I’d always wanted to get more involved, but life was busy with school, career, and moving around the country. When we finally settled in Atlanta, it felt like the right time. I wanted to give back to the place that gave me so much.”
Now, Brittany encourages others who want to re-engage with the university to reflect.
“Think about your time in Athens. What made an impact on you? There are so many ways to give to UGA, whether it’s general support or something deeply personal. Your generosity can help another student have an even better experience than you did.”
For Brittany, giving to UGA isn’t just about nostalgia — it’s about legacy.
“I want my kids to grow up knowing the value of community, of generosity, of giving back. And I want other students to feel the same support I did. That’s why I give.”
